Date

This talk will explore the strange psychologies of serial killers with a specific focus on two British examples – Harold Shipman and Fred West.

Kathy Charles will explore what is known about the early lives of these men, the content and motives for their crimes, and then their choice to commit suicide in prison.

She will consider the differences in the lives of these men compared to the lives of others who also have complicated childhoods but do not go on to murder.

Kathy Charles read for her first degree in Psychology with Sociology at the University of Leicester and graduated in 2001. She began her PhD in Forensic Psychology in 2002 after being awarded a scholarship by Glasgow Caledonian University.

Kathy completed her PhD in 2006 and joined Edinburgh Napier University as a Psychology Lecturer in 2007. She teaches undergraduates and postgraduates in Psychology as well as giving guest lectures at other universities and her own series of public lectures in Glasgow.

She is currently writing a book on Feederism and her interests include photography and travelling.